U.S. Army plans autonomous kits and up to 100 uncrewed surface vessels

The U.S. Army’s watercraft units in the Pacific are experimenting with retrofitting existing vessels with autonomy kits (e.g., Sea Machines SM300 autonomous navigation integrated in nine days on the HOS Resolution) and planning to acquire up to 100 purpose-built uncrewed surface vessels. This represents a push to expand maritime logistics and distribution using optionally-crewed or fully uncrewed platforms, potentially extending to autonomous propulsion and engine-room functions.